D&T GCE ‘A’ level results The D&T Association is delighted to see the results of those students who have been successful in completing specialist A level D&T qualifications. However, the statistics represent serious cause for concern and are in themselves and indicator of the overall status of the subject and the missed opportunity to contribute to the nation’s well being and education of young people and future wealth creators. Between 2000 and 2006, D&T was one of the fastest growing A level subjects. In 2006 the total entry was just over 18500. Since then, there has been a steady decline. This year’s entry of just over 13,500 represents a drop of nearly 700 from last year, but a fall of just over 25% from 2006. However we know the subject remains popular with students and this year’s AS entry increased by 400 to nearly 24,000. We also know that the Russell Group universities view D&T as a ‘useful advanced level qualification’ for studying engineering for example at university. Admissions tutors in university departments offering design and technological degree courses are understandably concerned about where their future intake will come from and the experience future applicants will have should the decline continue. Nigel Zanker, Design Education and Research Leader at Loughborough University Design School, said: ‘Design subjects at ‘A’ level are important because they provide essential preparation for degree programmes, the graduates of which go on to sustain innovative and creative industries. Design led companies such as Apple are successful as a consequence of creative thinking being an essential part of mainstream education.’ The reduction in number of candidates is undoubtedly linked to last years fall in GCSE entries, with the subsequent decrease in those able to progress to A level. We await the results for GCSE next week, but it is likely that these too will indicate a further decline in entry, as we continue to see the rise in single sciences and the EBacc effect on languages and humanities. As schools in effect reduce opportunity for students to follow D&T, there is a resulting decrease in the overall D&T cohort. Under the financial constraints many schools are experiencing, the Association is aware of schools having to drop provision of A level D&T as numbers opting are insufficient to create viable groups. The Association is equally concerned about the impact of fewer students taking A level D&T on the already dire state of recruitment into D&T initial teacher training (ITT). Last year saw the worst year ever for take up of places on the variety of D&T ITT courses. It is understood that the number of students embarking on Qualified Teacher Status courses is once again massively down and nowhere near to approaching target. As with other subjects, studying D&T at A level provides an essential background for many prospective teachers and also promotes the opportunities within the profession. Arresting the decline is essential if the interests of individual students and that of the country are to be met, in terms of harnessing creativity and applying it to the needs of industry through the supply of potential employees suitable experienced to embark on careers in the wide range of creative and manufacturing industries. The Association has been vigorously campaigning over the past few years to firstly secure the place of the subject in the National Curriculum. Secondly it has worked closely with Government to develop modern and relevant key stage 1 to 3 programmes of study for the subject. Thirdly it continues to work with Government to ensure that the new public examinations at both GCSE and GCE A level are developed for introduction in September 2016 and 2017 respectively and address the needs of higher education and employment. However, the many advances that have been made will all be to no avail unless the value of the subject is given greater priority in schools and opportunities to study it are provided. Whereas the D&T Association understands that DfE and Ministers are justly proud of the curriculum developments that have taken place in recent years, there is insufficient publicity given and reference made by politicians to the value of D&T as a subject and its contribution to the ‘culture, wealth and well being of the nation’ as described in the new D&T National Curriculum.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:54:26 +0000
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